#dlr history

[jimstares]

Got a chance to say goodbye to Splash Mountain today. Being on the opening crew was awesome, and I met the L&T there, so it will always have a special place in my heart.

That said as a plankowner I feel I should say that I’m super excited for Tiana’s Place. Splash was based on a movie very few Guests had seen when the attraction opened, even fewer know about it now.

I think we can do amazing things with the attraction (you should have heard us in the queue), and when you’re in the Park and see Tiana and the reaction she gets, you realize just how much representation matters. This will be awesome.

[jimstares]

@torrence-with-an-e

The Magic Of Disneyland (1968)

[surprisinglyokay]

Having recently read a fanfic in which Sherlock and John catch trains to various parts of southern England exclusively from London’s Waterloo station, even when this is not the usual/logical route, I’d like to share this for writers who might not be familiar with the whole business of trains in/to/from London.

Let’s start with the history of how and when rail services came to London. This article explains how and why we have so many terminal stations (short version: because when they were built, the railway companies were privately owned and all needed their own terminus in London).

The main terminal stations are Waterloo (south), Paddington (west), Euston (north-west), King’s Cross (north-east), St Pancras (East Midlands and Eurostar), Liverpool Street (east), Fenchurch Street (south-east) and Victoria (south). There are others (see the article linked above and my husband’s comment below).

As we know, within London and the suburbs, these termini are linked by the London Underground (aka The Tube) network. There is also the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) - a driverless system - and other overground rail services. Here is a map of it all from Transport of London (TfL). Baker Street is served by five tube lines: Bakerloo (brown), Metropolitan (maroon), Jubilee (silver), Circle (yellow), and Hammersmith & City (pink). It’s also only a five-minute walk from Marylebone (the nearest terminal) which itself is just behind the Landmark hotel, which we know as the exterior for The Restaurant Scene.

Aside: I think Sherlock is unlikely to catch a bus unless directly related to a case - they’re just too slow for him. But you can find bus maps and all kinds of other TfL mappy delights here.

If you have characters using public transport in the UK, your best bets for accurate research are:

Google Maps (in public transport mode)

National Rail (see the page footer for all the useful stuff)

Transport for London

All these also have apps available.

I’m happy to do Sherlockian Britpicking (my day job is copy-editing) if that’s helpful for you.

If you want to go the full Howard Shilcott, I still very much enjoy reading the rail enthusiasts’ forums posts about the myriad tube-related continuity errors in TEH. I’ll let you Google those for yourself. 😉

———

Ran this past my husband (who is totally the full Howard Shilcott) and he made a few corrections (and a lot of faces!) before I posted: he wishes it to be known that he ‘remains unhappy about [my summary of] Fenchurch Street’ and thinks I should add Charing Cross to the list so people know how to get to Kent. So that’s all clear then. 😂

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Gravity study gives insights into hidden features beneath lost ocean of Mars and rising Olympus Mons Studies of gravity variations at Mars have revealed dense, large-scale structures hidden beneath the sediment layers of a lost ocean. The analysis, which combines models and data from multiple missions, also shows that active processes in the martian mantle may be giving a boost to the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons. The findings have been presented this week at the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) in Berlin by Bart Root of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).Mars has many hidden structures, such as ice deposits, but the features discovered in the northern polar plains are a mystery because they are covered with a thick and smooth sediment layer believed to deposited on ancient seabed. “These dense structures could be volcanic in origin or could be compacted material due to ancient impacts. There are around 20 features of varying sizes that we have identified dotted around the area surrounding the north polar cap – one of which resembles the shape of a dog,” said Dr Root. “There seems to be no trace of them at the surface. However, through gravity data, we have a tantalising glimpse into the older history of the northern hemisphere of Mars.”Dr Root and colleagues from TU Delft and Utrecht University used tiny deviations in the orbits of satellites to investigate the gravity field of Mars and find clues about the planet’s internal mass distribution. This data was fed into models that use new observations from NASA’s Insight mission on the thickness and flexibility of the martian crust, as well as the dynamics of the planet’s mantle and deep interior, to create a global density map of Mars.The density map shows that the northern polar features are approximately 300-400 kg/m3 denser than their surroundings. However, the study has also revealed new insights into the structures underlying the huge volcanic region of Tharsis Rise, which includes the colossal volcano, Olympus Mons. Although volcanoes are very dense, the Tharsis area is much higher than the average surface of Mars, and is ringed by a region of comparatively weak gravity. This gravity anomaly is hard to explain by looking at differences in the martian crust and upper mantle alone. The study by Dr Root and his team suggests that a light mass around 1750 kilometres across and at a depth of 1100 kilometres is giving the entire Tharsis region a boost upwards. This could be explained by huge plume of lava, deep within the martian interior, travelling up towards the surface.“The NASA InSight mission has given us vital new information about the hard outer layer of Mars. This means we need to rethink how we understand the support for the Olympus Mons volcano and its surroundings,” said Dr Root. “It shows that Mars might still have active movements happening inside it, affecting and possibly making new volcanic features on the surface.”Dr Root is part of the team proposing the Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls) mission,  which aims to use technology developed for missions like GRAIL and GRACE on the Moon and Earth respectively to map in detail the gravity field of Mars. “Observations with MaQuIs would enable us to better explore the subsurface of Mars. This would help us to find out more about these mysterious hidden features and study ongoing mantle convection, as well as understand dynamic surface processes like atmospheric seasonal changes and the detection of ground water reservoirs,” said Dr Lisa Wörner of DLR, who presented on the MaQuIs mission at EPSC2024 this week.

TOP IMAGE: Gravity map of Mars. The red circles show prominent volcanoes on Mars and the black circles show impact crates with a diameter larger than a few 100 km. A gravity high signal is located in the volcanic Tharsis Region (the red area in the centre right of the image), which is surrounded by a ring of negative gravity anomaly (shown in blue). Credit Root et al.

LOWER IMAGE: Map highlighting the dense gravitational structures in the northern hemisphere. The regions denoted by the black lines are high mass anomalies that do not show any correlation with geology and topography. These hidden subsurface structures are covered by sediments from an old ocean. Their origin is still a mystery and a dedicated gravity mission, like MaQuIs, is needed to reveal their nature. Credit Root et al.

[sparklermun]

Hello there everyone! And welcome to night fifteen of the ninth annual Wreck-it Ralph Pin Post Month!

Tonight we have the DLR/WDW, National Pancake Day 2023, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Wreck-it Ralph pin. LR.

This was released for a limited time in celebration of National Pancake day on the twenty-first of February, featuring what may be the perfect character to represent the minor holiday. Pancake Bunny from the trailer and end credits scene from the Ralph Breaks the Internet movie. The pin itself has the classic pin-on-pin design, featuring a sliding gimmick that allows one to push the pancake stack closer to Bunny's waiting mouth. A little fun detail are the words "Pancake Day '23" written in syrup on the pancake stack.

A little fun fact about this pin. Originally it was released in the UK on the Disney Store website, before later being released in Disney Parks for fans to grab off the shelves. Why this was, well actually while doing research for this pin I came across Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as pancake day in the UK. This day goes deep into English heritage; involving religion, song, traditional recipes, and joyous activities. Including races that originated centuries ago when apparently a local woman late for church was seen dashing through town with a frying pan in her hand. Honestly, I did not expect to go in this direction when writing this post, however the history was fascinating to me and I just wanted to share. Just goes to show the interesting places you may go while doing research.

[jimstares]

Fastest trip around the Rivers of America I ever took was when we had canoe full of nuns.

A pair of nuns about to enjoy Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland, looks like around 1960. I wonder if they know they're going to Hell?

[farinakhan]

London City Guide

Nestled along the banks of the River Thames, London is a melting pot of cultures, history, and opportunities. London is a beautiful and traditional city, home to some of the amazing buildings, iconic landmarks, and world-class tourist attractions. In the London city guide below are some of the top things to do in London. London boasts an extensive public transportation network, including the iconic red double-decker buses, the London Underground (Tube), Overground trains, and Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Keep checking the student discounts offered preferably on student ID cards. If using your own vehicle, be aware of the congestion charge in London. Walking around the city can save you some extra bucks resulting in reducing the cost of living in London. For a detailed guide refer to our blog London City Guide: Everything You Should Know in 2024!

[travelingfevah]

NASA’s Perseverance Studying Rocks - #marsexploration #travel

After 1,000 Martian days of exploration, NASA’s Perseverance rover is studying rocks that show several eras in the history of a river delta billions of years old. Scientists are investigating this region of Mars, known as Jezero Crater, to see if they can find evidence of ancient life recorded in the rocks. Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley provides a guided tour of a richly detailed panorama of the rover’s location in November 2023, taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument. Composed of 993 individual images and 2.38 billion pixels, this 360-degree mosaic looks in all directions from a location the rover science team calls “Airey Hill.” Portions of the rover itself are visible in the scene, appearing more distorted toward the edges as a result of the image processing. 

 A color enhancement applied to the image increases contrast and accentuates color differences. By approximating what the scene would look like under Earth-like lighting conditions, the adjustment allows mission scientists to use their everyday experience to interpret the landscape. The view on Mars would be darker and more reddish. The panorama can be explored and downloaded at: https://go.nasa.gov/3tmJnGB. Learn more about Perseverance: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020. Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated when we're putting out new content for you. You can download your FREE Guide: "The Budget Traveler's Handbook" and get cheap flights, cheap hotels, cheap destinations, cheap car rentals, cheap traveler insurance at: https://TravelingFevah.com #mars #nasa #traveling Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS; ESA/DLR/FU-Berlin less

[jimstares]

Who’s got two thumbs and has been trying to figure out this costume for the last 15 minutes? You already know the answer to that.. Original Space maybe? Pretty sure it’s Tomorrowland. Any of my other Disneyland trivia buffs know? 

[jimstares]

Was saddened to learn of the death of Rolly Crump today (image source). Rolly was involved in some of my favorite attractions, and he will be missed.

Roland Fargo “Rolly” Crump 27 Feb 1930 - 13 Mar 2023

[anonarat]

I've spent the last week or so in London doing a number of things, so I figured I'd do a quick rundown on here:

Saturday I went to see Dune part 2. Honestly, it was quite disappointing in that it was a 7/10 film where I hoped for a 9/10. It didn't really pay off the promises of part 1, and the changes from the book were far more noticeable.

I then went to the Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds Experience. This was another 7/10 where I hoped for a 9/10. It actually reminded me a lot of what York Dungeon is currently like, albeit with some VR bits (Thunderchild being a particular highlight). To my suprise it wasn't the VR that set off my motion sickness, but a sort of planetarium thing they did for Brave New World.

Sunday was spent with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and my nieces for Mothers Day. It was a nice get together.

Monday I went to the Natural History Museum. Thanks to the advice of a friend, I went in through the side entrance and there was no queuing at all. I was surprised to discover (to my delight), that about 1/3 was geology, and I spent about 2/3 of my time in the geology section. Land of the Lustrous has definitely warped my perception of such things. Speaking of, I did manage to see one piece of phosphophyllite, as well as many other major characters.

I also went to see Operation Mincemeat. This was a time when I was expecting a 9/10 show and it delivered. I'm pretty sure I laughed more in that 3 hour period than I had in the previous 6 months.

Tuesday I lay around and read in preparation for Wednesday.

Wednesday was why I was even down in London in the first place. Ado's world tour playing in Troxy. I arrived an hour before the merch line was due to open and it took about 3 1/2 hours, but I got the merch I wanted, so a win I guess. Rather than immediately queuing for entry, I went to a nice Turkish restaurant nearby. My back then reminded me that I'm no longer young and I'd just been standing outside in the cool for a while.

Next was (more) queuing for the concert. At least I'd sprung for a VIP ticket, so it was comparatively painless; plenty of other people have commented on the GA queue. The cloakroom was also pretty straightforward.

My feelings on the concert itself are complicated. Now I'll admit it was partly my fault as I later learned, but without earplugs, the audio wasn't the best. It was crowded and loud.

And yet it was the most overall positively memorable experience out of everything. Some highlights included:

I was in the 3rd row, so you can spot me in at least one of the promotional videos. I'm pretty sure I'm in the other as well, but it moves too fast to be sure.

Ado's outfit. While you could only make out the general shape, it looked sharp.

Tot Musica - it normally goes hard, but with an entire audience singing along, it was phenomenal

While Ado does sing in silhoutte, you can occaisionally catch a glimpse of her, not enough to make out her face, but... at the end of Kura Kura I think I saw a big smile (in profile). It was less than a second, but it was a reminder that Ado was enjoying this just as much as we were.

Ado's MC in English.

Odo.

The other fans. Even with all the queuing and waiting they brought some great energy and helped each other out.

Going forward, I'm not really sure concerts are for me. But perhaps now armed with further knowledge, I might consider it. At least I'd be sorely tempted to see Ado again.

When I left, my everything hurt, including getting a ringing in my right ear for about 24 hours. There was a moment on the DLR where I was facing another fan, and we nodded at each other in acknowledgement of how we were both wiped, but happy.

Thursday was scheduled for recovery, and I spent most of the morning lounging about, but I decided to go and do some London shopping. I basically walked up through Soho and ended at Forbidden Planet. During this time I managed to snag The Moon on a Rainy Night volume 2, which had been rather elusive.

Kuzushiro is probably my favourite yuri mangaka at present.

Friday I went to the Tate Britain, as I don't think I'd visited it before. It was fine. My personal preference was for the Turners where he did architectural scenes. Then I went to see the Frozen musical.

It was good. It painted Elsa's parents in a better light than the movie did, and I appreciated that they gave Kristoff more songs. However, they cut For the First Time in Forever (Reprise) and replaced it with a different song. Considering that's my favourite song on the soundtrack, I was disappointed. The replacement was fine.

Saturday I visited a friend who lives down South. It was really good to see her again. That evening I went up to Camden Town and had some good street food.

Sunday, I returned to my home.

[jimstares]

There was a fun story told at a Cast Member reunion (40th? 50th? The L&T @kjuw89​ would know) about the opening of Disneyland - Uncle Walt couldn’t pay Art Linkletter so instead he gave him a cut of Kodak sells in the Park. That worked out pretty well for Art and Disneyland.

Kodak Presents Disneyland '59 (1959)

[rahulsharma25]

Pursuing a Masters in Aerospace Engineering in Germany

Embarking on a journey to pursue a Master's in Aerospace Engineering is an exciting and challenging endeavor. With its rich history in engineering and technological advancements, Germany has emerged as a preferred destination for international students seeking high-quality education. In this blog, we will explore the world of Aerospace Engineering and why Germany stands out as a top choice for pursuing a Master's degree in this field.

Why Aerospace Engineering?

Aerospace Engineering is a multidisciplinary field that involves the design, development, and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. The discipline encompasses various subjects, including aerodynamics, materials science, propulsion systems, and avionics. As the demand for innovative and sustainable aerospace solutions continues to rise globally, pursuing a Master's in Aerospace Engineering opens doors to exciting career opportunities in both the aeronautics and space industries.

Why Germany?

Germany has earned a reputation for its world-class education system, cutting-edge research facilities, and a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. When it comes to Aerospace Engineering, Germany boasts some of the finest institutions that offer comprehensive programs tailored to meet the evolving needs of the aerospace industry.

Renowned Universities:

German universities are known for their academic excellence and research contributions. Institutions like the Technical University of Munich (TUM), RWTH Aachen University, and the University of Stuttgart offer specialized Master's in Aerospace Engineering. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the dynamic field of aerospace.

Industry Collaboration:

One of the key advantages of pursuing a Master's in Aerospace Engineering in Germany is the strong collaboration between universities and industry. Many universities have partnerships with leading aerospace companies such as Airbus, DLR (German Aerospace Center), and MTU Aero Engines, providing students with opportunities for internships, research projects, and potential employment upon graduation.

Research Opportunities:

Germany is at the forefront of aerospace research and innovation. Pursuing a Master's in Aerospace Engineering allows students to engage in cutting-edge research projects, contributing to advancements in areas such as aircraft design, propulsion systems, and space exploration. The exposure to real-world challenges enhances the students' problem-solving skills and prepares them for the demands of the industry.

Multicultural Environment:

Germany attracts students from around the world, creating a diverse and multicultural learning environment. This cultural diversity not only enriches the educational experience but also prepares students to work in global aerospace markets. English-taught programs are widely available, making them accessible to international students.

Admission Requirements and Process:

To pursue a Master's in Aerospace Engineering in Germany, prospective students typically need a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline. Proficiency in English is crucial, and many programs require standardized test scores like the TOEFL or IELTS. Additionally, some universities may require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or equivalent.

The application process usually involves submitting academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume. Each university may have specific requirements, so it is essential to review the application guidelines for the chosen institution carefully.

Financial Considerations:

While tuition fees for Master's programs in Germany are relatively low compared to other countries, students should still consider their living expenses. Fortunately, there are various scholarships, grants, and part-time job opportunities available to help alleviate financial burdens. Germany's strong economy and well-developed infrastructure also contribute to a reasonable cost of living for students.

Conclusion:

Pursuing a Master's in Aerospace Engineering in Germany offers a unique blend of academic excellence, research opportunities, and industry collaboration. The country's commitment to innovation and sustainability in aerospace, coupled with a multicultural environment, makes it an ideal destination for those aspiring to contribute to the future of aviation and space exploration. As you embark on this educational journey, Germany stands ready to provide a solid foundation for a successful career in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of Aerospace Engineering.

[jcmarchi]

Volcanism on Mars: Planet More Active than Previously Thought - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/volcanism-on-mars-planet-more-active-than-previously-thought-technology-org/

Volcanism on Mars: Planet More Active than Previously Thought - Technology Org

University of Arizona researchers reconstructed lava flows from spacecraft images and radar to better understand Mars‘ surprisingly turbulent history.

This image taken by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter shows an oblique view focusing on one of the vast lava flows in Elysium Planitia. Image credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin

A vast, flat, “featureless” plain on Mars surprised researchers by revealing a much more tumultuous geologic past than expected, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Arizona. Enormous amounts of lava have erupted from numerous fissures as recently as one million years ago, blanketing an area almost as large as Alaska and interacting with water in and under the surface, resulting in large flood events that carved out deep channels.

Lacking plate tectonics – shifting chunks of crust that constantly reshape Earth’s surface – Mars has long been thought to be a geologically “dead” planet where not much is happening. Recent discoveries have researchers questioning this notion, however.

Just last year, a team of planetary scientists, also at UArizona, presented evidence for a giant mantle plume underneath the region Elysium Planitia, driving intense volcanic and seismic activity in a relatively recent past.

The fractures of the Cerberus Fossae landscape, located in the vast plain Elysium Planitia on Mars, cut through hills and craters, indicating their relative youth. A new study providing the most detailed three-dimensional map of volcanic features in this area paints a picture of Mars as planet with a much more tumultuous geologic past than previously thought. Image credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin

In the most recent study, a team led by Joana Voigt and Christopher Hamilton at UArizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory combined spacecraft images and measurements from ground-penetrating radar to reconstruct in three-dimensional detail every individual lava flow in Elysium Planitia.

The extensive survey revealed and documented more than 40 volcanic events, with one of the largest flows infilling a valley named Athabasca Valles with almost 1,000 cubic miles of basalt.

“Elysium Planitia is the youngest volcanic terrain on the planet, and studying it helps us to better understand Mars’ past as well as recent hydrological and volcanic history,” the authors write in their paper.

Although no volcanic activity has so far been observed on Mars, “Elysium Planitia was volcanically much more active than previously thought and might even still be volcanically alive today,” said Voigt, the first author of the study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. A plethora of Mars quakes recorded by NASA’s InSight lander between 2018 until 2022 has provided proof that beneath its surface, the red planet is anything but dead.

“Our study provides the most comprehensive account of geologically recent volcanism on a planet other than Earth,” said Hamilton, associate professor at LPL. “It is the best estimate of Mars’ young volcanic activity for about the past 120 million years, which corresponds to when the dinosaurs roaming the Earth at their peak to present.”

The findings have implications for research surrounding whether Mars could have harbored life at some point in its history, according to the authors. Elysium Planitia experienced several large floods of water, and there is evidence that the outpouring lava interacted with water or ice, shaping the landscape in dramatic ways.

Across Elysium Planitia, Voigt and her co-authors found ample evidence of steam explosions, interactions that are of great interest to astrobiologists because they may have created hydrothermal environments conducive to microbial life.

The team used images from the Context camera onboard NASA’s Reconnaissance Orbiter, or MRO, combined with even higher-resolution images from MRO’s UArizona-led HiRISE camera in selected areas. To obtain topographical information, they took advantage of data records from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter on another NASA spacecraft, Mars Global Surveyor.

These survey data were then combined with subsurface radar measurements taken with NASA’s Shallow Radar, or SHARAD, probe.

“With SHARAD, we were able to look as deep as 140 meters (460 feet) below the surface,” said Voigt, who completed the study as part of earning her doctoral degree at UArizona. She is now a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or JPL, in Pasadena, California.

“Combining the datasets allowed us to reconstruct a three-dimensional view of the study area, including what the topography was like before lava erupted from multiple cracks and filled basins and channels previously carved by running water, Voigt added.”

Mars’ interior is thought to be very different from Earth’s, and a detailed reconstruction of its geological features provides scientists with glimpses into the processes that shaped it in the past. The relationship between volcanoes and the structure of the Martian crust is key to understanding the planet’s paleo-environmental conditions, Hamilton said.

In addition to water contained within the magma being flung into the atmosphere and then freezing out on the surface, a volcanic eruption can allow for a catastrophic groundwater release onto the surface.

“When there is a crack in the Martian crust, water can flow onto the surface,” Hamilton said. “Because of the low atmospheric pressure, that water is likely to literally just boil away. But if there’s enough water coming out during that period, you can get a huge flood that comes through, racing over the landscape and carving out these huge features that we see.”

Understanding how water has moved around on Mars in the past and where it is today is a “holy grail” question, the authors said. Because the equatorial regions, where Elysium Planitia is located, are much easier to land on than the planet’s higher latitudes, the presence of water and understanding mechanisms of its release inform future human missions, which will critically depend on that resource.

“Elysium Planitia is the perfect location to try to understand the link between what we see at the surface and the interior dynamics that manifested itself through volcanic eruptions,” Voigt said. “I paid a lot of attention to the details on the lava surfaces to try and untangle the different eruption events and reconstruct the entire history of these geologic entities.”

The team plans to continue taking advantage of large, complex datasets obtained with different imaging methods to create highly detailed, three-dimensional insights of the Martian surface and what lies beneath, combined with a time sequence of events of other volcanically active regions.

Voigt likened lava flow surfaces to “open books that provide a wealth of information about how they came to be if you know how to read them.”

“These areas that used to be considered featureless and boring, like Elysium Planitia, I think they contain a lot of secrets, and they want to be read,” she said.

The work was supported by a NASA Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology grant. Co-authors on the paper are Gregor Steinbrügge and Laura Kerber at JPL, S. Nerozzi, Jack Holt and Lynn Carter at UArizona’s LPL, and Michael Christofferson at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Source: University of Arizona

Mars gifts – the best space gifts from the Red Planet, ranging from Mars-themed clothes to genuine, certified meteorites from Mars.

[spacenutspod]

After celebrating their 1,000th sol, or Martian day, on Mars, NASA’s Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are continuing to explore Jezero Crater on the Red Planet. Recently, the robotic pair completed their extensive investigation of the ancient river delta within Jezero, which contains evidence of flowing water that may have once filled Jezero thousands of years ago. As part of its extensive investigation into the river delta, Perseverance routinely collects samples of the Martian surface, rocks, and other intriguing surface features. To date, the rover has collected a total of 23 surface samples as part of the joint NASA/European Space Agency Mars Sample Return mission. However, scientists get a preliminary look at the samples when Perseverance collects them, and they’ve already been able to decipher pieces of Mars’ geologic history from the samples. For example, one of the most recent samples Perseverance collected, named “Lefroy Bay,” contained high amounts of fine-grained silica, which is known to help preserve ancient fossils on Earth. Within sample “Otis Peak,” scientists identified large quantities of phosphate — a compound that is often closely associated with life. Both of the samples also contained carbonate, which can preserve local environmental conditions from when the samples were formed. “We picked Jezero Crater as a landing site because orbital imagery showed a delta — clear evidence that a large lake once filled the crater. A lake is a potentially habitable environment, and delta rocks are a great environment for entombing signs of ancient life as fossils in the geologic record. After thorough exploration, we’ve pieced together the crater’s geologic history, charting its lake and river phase from beginning to end,” said project scientist Ken Farley of Caltech. Image of Jezero Crater’s river delta, taken by ESA’s Mars Express orbiter. (Credit: ESA/DLR/FU-Berlin) Though scientists had ideas and theories about what Jezero was like, they ultimately didn’t know until Perseverance landed there in February 2021. Following landing, the rover discovered that the crater floor of Jezero is made of igneous rock, meaning its surface was created from magma under the surface or volcanic activity on the surface. The discovery of igneous rock in Jezero’s surface allowed scientists to confirm that the crater was formed from an asteroid impact nearly four billion years ago. See AlsoPerseverance UpdatesMars Missions SectionSpace Science CoverageClick here to Join L2 Subsequent discoveries of sandstone and mudstone by Perseverance allowed scientists to determine when the first rivers began flowing within Jezero a few hundred million years after the asteroid impact. Above these initial sand and mudstones are salt-rich mudstones, which hint at the presence of a shallow lake that was experiencing evaporation. When the lake filled up, fast-flowing waters carried boulders from outside Jezero into the lake, where they were ultimately distributed atop the river delta and throughout the entire crater. Further discoveries by Perseverance and Ingenuity have led planetary scientists to estimate Jezero’s lake to have once been as wide as 35 kilometers and as deep as 30 meters. “We were able to see a broad outline of these chapters in Jezero’s history in orbital images, but it required getting up close with Perseverance to really understand the timeline in detail,” said mission manager Libby Ives, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. As mentioned, the samples collected by Perseverance are planned to be returned to Earth via the Mars Sample Return mission, meaning that — in addition to Jezero’s history as a lake — scientists had to factor which locations would provide the best samples when determining Mars 2020’s landing location. Returning the samples to Earth will allow scientists to investigate the Martian surface and surface features in extreme detail, as Perseverance only has a handful of instruments that can analyze the samples. However, how exactly do scientists determine where to collect samples? First, the team must identify a specific area or surface feature that may provide scientists with valuable information on Mars’ environment, past, and more. Once a target has been identified, Perseverance will use an abrasion tool on the end of its robotic arm to wear away a small portion of the target. With some of the target’s interior exposed, Perseverance studies the target’s chemistry and characteristics using a suite of instruments, including the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL). At one of Perseverance’s most recent sample targets, named “Bills Bay,” PIXL identified carbonates within the abraded surface of the rock. In addition to preserving local environmental conditions, carbonates can form in watery environments that play host to conditions that may be favorable for preserving organic molecules, which are formed via geological and biological processes. What’s more, Bills Bay also contained silica, which, as mentioned, is great at preserving organic molecules. The presence of carbonates and silica — among other elements and compounds — within Bills Bay is what led scientists to pull a sample from it. “On Earth, this fine-grained silica is what you often find in a location that was once sandy. It’s the kind of environment where, on Earth, the remains of ancient life could be preserved and found later,” said PIXL deputy principal investigator Morgan Cable of JPL. PIXL’s analysis of Ouzel Falls. Note the presence of phosphate and carbonate in the abraded rock. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) Another sample target PIXL investigated, named “Ouzel Falls,” was found to contain iron that is closely associated with phosphate. Phosphate is an important component of DNA, the cell membranes of all known types of terrestrial life, and molecules that carry energy.  Perseverance carries instruments capable of detecting microscopic, fossil-like structures and chemical changes that may have been left by ancient microbes. However, these instruments have yet to detect any structures or chemical changes within the samples and surface features Perseverance has investigated. The aforementioned samples, Lefroy Bay and Otis Peak, were taken next to abrasion patches on Bills Bay and Ouzel Falls, respectively. “We have ideal conditions for finding signs of ancient life where we find carbonates and phosphates, which point to a watery, habitable environment, as well as silica, which is great at preservation,” Cable noted. With the science campaign at Jezero’s river delta now complete, Perseverance and Ingenuity will now move on to their fourth science campaign, which will see the robotic pair investigate Jezero’s margin — the area of the crater near the canyon entrance where a river may have once flooded the floor of the crater. Deposits rich with carbonate have already been spotted along the crater margin. (Lead image: Perseverance takes a selfie after depositing one of its surface sample tubes onto the Martian surface. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) The post 1,000 sols into their mission, Perseverance and Ingenuity continue to investigate Jezero Crater appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.